The Aramaic word shᵉthâh, represented by H8355, means to drink. A direct counterpart to the Hebrew word שָׁתָה, it appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. Its usage is highly concentrated, appearing exclusively in one chapter to describe a single, significant event.
All biblical occurrences of H8355 are found in Daniel chapter 5, during King Belshazzar's great feast. The term is used to describe the central act of the event: the king and his court drinking wine. Belshazzar drank wine before his thousand lords Daniel 5:1. In a profane act, he commanded that the holy vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem be brought so that he, his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them (Daniel 5:2, Daniel 5:3). This act of drinking is directly linked to idolatry, as they drank wine and then praised gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone Daniel 5:4. The final use of the word comes in Daniel's rebuke, condemning the king because he had drunk wine in the sacred vessels and failed to glorify God Daniel 5:23.
One word is directly associated with the action of H8355 in this narrative:
- H2562 chămar (wine): This Aramaic word for wine is the object of the verb "to drink" in every instance where H8355 appears. The two words form a pair that defines the sacrilegious act at Belshazzar's feast (Daniel 5:1, Daniel 5:4, Daniel 5:23).
The theological weight of H8355 is derived entirely from its specific context in Daniel 5. The simple act of drinking becomes a symbol of profound spiritual failure.
- Act of Defiance: To drink from the holy vessels was an act of lifting oneself up against the Lord of heaven Daniel 5:23. It was a deliberate desecration of what was consecrated to God.
- Catalyst for Idolatry: The act of drinking is immediately followed by the praising of false gods, linking the physical indulgence with spiritual unfaithfulness Daniel 5:4.
- Reason for Judgment: Daniel explicitly cites Belshazzar's act of drinking from the vessels as a primary reason for his downfall, as it demonstrated a failure to glorify the one true God who held his life and ways in His hand Daniel 5:23.
In summary, H8355 provides a focused look at how a common action can take on immense significance. While simply meaning "to drink," its exclusive use in the narrative of Belshazzar's feast transforms it into a keyword for pride, sacrilege, and the divine judgment that follows. The story illustrates that the manner and context of an action, not just the action itself, are of critical importance.
TRV